I completed the level 7 ACEL/Pg Dip in Employment Law and got a merit and was gutted to learn on completion I did not qualify for any upgrade in membership at all. I was an Affiliate member then. I had to do the experience assessment route to get the Assoc professional membership. I believe, the only level 7 qualifications to get you full chartership is Level 7 HRD or HRM.

I wouldnt want you to make the same mistake as me, (although the Employment Law level 7 course is very good, you learn a lot doing the coursework route), it results in no change to your membership.

I don't think that an MA/MSc leads to Graduate membership anymore either as it's being phased out. I think you just get Associate membership and then have to go through the upgrade process to get Chartered membership

I would guess the Advanced Dip in Em Law doesnt qualify for Member status because it is too specialised and most routes to membership require a broad path that doesnt narrow down to one particular HR discipline or other too soon. Training colleagues often make the same observation.

There are several MA/MSc routes that lead to Graduate membership with the CIPD. I am certain of this as I investigated options before.

King's College, Kingston University and many more offer the Master route towards accreditation and upgrade to chartered status on completion of the programme.

I was more interested to find out if i could achieve Graduate status through a specialist route like a Level 7 Pg Dip in Employment Law; i appreciate that this course specifically may satisfy only some of the activities, knowledge and behaviours in the CIPD Professional Map, which in turn might explain why a specialist course does not lead to Graduate status.

...they list the CIPD-accredited qualifications at the institution. If the qualification isn't CIPD-accredited, you only get the University's award (PgDip or MA/MSc), and not the CIPD's, as far as I understand

I still think you have to fill in an upgrade form when you complete your course, though? This is because Associate/Chartered membership is linked to your vocational experience rather than Academic performance.

Thank you all for your contributions to this thread. I thought it might be useful to clarify a few areas.

CIPD offers 3 sizes of qualification at Level 7, Awards, Certificates and Diplomas and as Louise mentions earlier in this thread the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Award in Employment LawandPostgraduate Certificate in Employment Lawdo not, on their own, lead to a level of CIPD membership however they can be used towards achievement of an Advanced Diploma.

Successful completion of the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in HR Management or HR Development will give you the knowledge required to be eligible to apply for a professional grade of membership (Associate member, Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow). You can search for a provider offering a CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma on our website at www.cipd.co.uk/qualifications-centre-search/default.htm

Once you’ve completed the Diploma you are eligible to apply to upgrade your membership as long as you meet the CIPD membership criteria, you can find the criteria as well as guidance on upgrading to a professional grade of membership at www.cipd.co.uk/Membership/upgrade/

Please call us in the membership team on 020 8612 6208 if you want any further help or want to discuss your options.